One Titans player who could steal the show and an important job this upcoming season
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans had a busy offseason, taking an aggressive approach to address roster needs and fill holes. Ran Carthon and company spent big on Calvin Ridley. They made a splash to acquire two veteran cornerbacks in Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed. Tennessee used the seventh overall pick on JC Latham to play […]
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans had a busy offseason, taking an aggressive approach to address roster needs and fill holes.
Ran Carthon and company spent big on Calvin Ridley. They made a splash to acquire two veteran cornerbacks in Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed. Tennessee used the seventh overall pick on JC Latham to play left tackle and gave center Lloyd Cushenberry 50 million dollars to catalyze the rebuilding of an offensive line.
Another spot the Titans added to was inside linebacker. By drafting Cedric Gray with the 106th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and signing Kenneth Murray to a two-year, $15.5 million deal, the Titans added some talent in hopes of finding their green dot and defensive leader for the 2024 season. But what if that position ends up being filled by a returning player?
Jack Gibbens
Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens showed steady improvement during his sophomore 2023 season in which he recorded 95 tackles and two quarterback hits over 13 starts. He now has a chance to steal the show and an important role in Tennessee's defense for the upcoming season and really stood out in OTAs this summer.
Gibbens made a strong impression on the Titans' new coaching staff. As things currently stand, he may even be the favorite to start at inside linebacker in Dennard Wilson's defense to open the season.
"Really pleased with where [Jack Gibbens] is at. He's got a little bit of experience behind him now. He's incredibly smart," said Titans head coach Brian Callahan of Gibbens at the end of OTAs. "That you see command from him, which is what you need from [an inside linebacker]. He knows what to do, he knows how to get guys lined up, he's got a little bit of experience now. And so, a player like him has a lot of value. And then, he's been a pleasant surprise as he's taken a leadership role in that room and been able to take over a little more of the communication part as well."
As Callahan very clearly laid out, Gibbens has not only taken advantage of his on-field opportunities this offseason, but also taken steps as a leader and communicator. That's about as good of an argument as you'll find for someone on the Titans defense to wear the green dot, even if it's not top of mind for the 25-year-old linebacker.
"I think people like to make a big deal about the green dot. People make it more than what it is," Gibbens told Titans media earlier this month, making it clear that he's not worrying about earning that responsibility. For Gibbens, this time of year is about proving himself on a daily basis and continuing to be his best self. He is certainly accomplishing that.
Gibbens is on my radar as one Tennessee's biggest "breakout" candidates in 2024. If he wins the starting job out of training camp, I could see the former undrafted free agent going well over 100 tackles this season and playing the best football of his young career. Buy in before it's too late.
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